What's on your shelf?

My friend, Carlynne at Hershberger & Huff posted pictures of her bookshelf today. I thought it was pretty neat - and decided to take photos of my own books. Mine aren't quite as diverse as hers (I haven't been experimenting as long) - but it was fun to see that we share some of the same books!

Notice the Colored Pencil book - NO, I don't do colored pencil -- this is Carlynne's book with her partner in crime - Kelly Money Huff!

I notice that a lot of my books talk about Loosening Up!

I started out painting in oil, but my watercolor books now are in the majority!

And, of course, there was the book that made me think I could paint like Monet! LOL

So, I ask you the question: What's on your shelf?

Plein Air in the Park

Once again, I have proven to myself that I just am unable to paint Plein Air! That said, I really did enjoy myself today - sitting on a bench, listening to the live music, watching the people and their dogs and painting away! Today was a fabulous day for our Art in the Park - in the 70's and sunny -- lots of people were out - and I sold some more stuff! Below are the two paintings that I sold this weekend:

"Just Beachy"

"Floral Bouquet"

Art In The Park

Once again, it's time for "Art In The Park" here in Dunnellon, FL at the Rainbow Springs State Park! There are about 4 different art groups who show and sell their work at this show. When I took my things there this morning, it was about 32 degrees! But, I went back this afternoon, and it's climbed up into the 60's and sunny! Glorious! Tomorrow should be even better, with highs expected in the 70's. And, I sold a painting this morning!

Here are Darla and Joyce from the Watercolor Club, painting plein air - and posing with my dog, Barney!

Painters line up on the walkways -

And, everyone can find a beautiful vista to paint! Maybe I'll take my stuff and paint tomorrow!

Tulip Tree

7" x10" Watercolor

This is my first entry into the blog: The Twenty Minute Challenge

The challenge is to draw and paint something in twenty minutes. This tulip tree sits in my front yard - planted by some former owner. It's always kind of puny, and doesn't get too many leaves on it - but it does produce a few flowers in early spring! It was an interesting exercise - the timer went off way too soon! There was so much more tweaking to do! I challenge you all to do it!

Red Meadow

6" x 8" Acrylic

I just returned yesterday from 4 days away with my daughter to Anna Maria Island. We had a good time, but the weather didn't cooperate! One sunny, warm day - and the rest, not so much! But we shopped till we dropped - rested, ate, and just thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.

So, today, I decided to play around with acrylic paint. I've never had instruction in this media, but I'm wanting to take a textures class later this month. Thought I would play around and see if I could figure it out. It's a little like watercolor, and a little like oils, and I'm not too sure exactly how to handle it. But, it was fun to try!

Another Sue Connor Class

Another fun, informative and exhausting class today with Sue Connor! We were told to bring photos of 5 paintings that we love. After examining why these painting speak to us, we were asked to "copy" one of them, trying to capture the essence - and then to put our own "spin" on them. One of my favorites was painted by "chrisaqua47" on Flickr. So, then, here is my rendition of his painting:

Not as good as his, but I did learn a lot from the exercise! Next, we were asked to bring a painting of ours that needed help. Well, I have quite a few, but decided on the one below:

And, here it is again, after some tweaking! I love it more now!

My daughter and I are meeting in Tampa on Sunday, and driving to Anna Maria Island for 3 days of fun and relaxing! It's such a lovely place- kind of "old Florida", with no condos or tall buildings - just a lot of beach and pretty scenery that I hope to capture with some photos to paint later on! Hope the weather cooperates! Should be in the 60's and 70's by now -- we'll see!

1st Place Ribbon!

This weekend is our Watercolor Club's Show & Sale at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. We award ribbons at this show - and this year I received 1st Place for my "First Blush" painting! You could have knocked me over with a feather! There are over 85 framed paintings (most of which I just swoon over) - and to think that I got this ribbon is very humbling and surprising! I've never, ever received a ribbon for anything! And, I even sold a couple of prints so far (the show ends later today)!

I'm in heaven!

UPDATE - NOON

I just received a call from the show -- my painting sold! This is the first framed painting I've ever sold! Can this day get any better? Well, it's in the 70's and sunny here, so it's just a great day all around!!!

Tulips and Lemons

9" x 12" Watercolor

Yesterday, we had class without Marilee. Very odd, indeed! But, she is mending - so I hear - and we decided to keep the class going till she can return! We all took images to paint and layed them all out and we all did something different. It still was class with all our friends, and we had a good time, but it was obvious that our leader was missing!

I've been so busy making prints and cards, and getting ready for the Homossassa show this weekend! It's so much fun when the shows start, but it's madness getting everything ready! Hope I do better this year (since I only sold 2 bookmarks last year!) - don't think I could do worse! Fingers crossed!

The Step Sisters

7" x 10" Watercolor

It's been awhile since my last post. My Monday watercolor class has been hit hard - our instructor, Marilee, suffered a heart attack last weekend. I understand that she is recovering, but still in the hospital right now. Hopefully, she will make a full recovery and all will be fine - but until then, we'll be painting without her. I didn't go to class this Monday, so I painted this during Tuesday's class.

I've been working on getting paintings framed and ready to change out the ones in the church and library. Also, the Citrus Watercolor Club has two shows coming up soon. We'll be Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park next weekend - and in the Rainbow Springs Park 2 weekends later. So, I've been making cards and prints for those shows.

I haven't gotten around to getting a painting done for Virtual Paintout yet this month. And, I really, really want to since the Paintout will be in San Francisco this month! I lived there for a year in the 80's - so I took a virtual tour of the city, finding the 2 apartments where I lived, and finding all the old places I used to go! I loved it there! So, hopefully, I'll find the time to actually make a painting in the next 2 weeks!

And, once again -- this stupid site won't let me show paragraph spacing! AAAARRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!

Posies and a Touch of Greenery

9" x 12" Watercolor

I painted this yesterday in class. And, believe it or not, I'm pretty happy with it! I'm starting to feel more comfortable with my style of painting - of course, I do like some others more!

5" x 7" Watercolor

Then, in Pat's class today, we had just about 20 minutes left in class, and she brought out this very ugly silk plant for us to paint! It was all green on green, and we were to paint it very quickly! I guess it turned out ok.